Vince Edwards (1928-1996)

biography

Born Vincent Edward Zoino in Brooklyn, New York, in July 9, 1928, actor Vince Edwards was initially pegged as an athlete rather than a thespian. A terrific swimmer, Edwards won a scholarship to Ohio State in the 1940s, but a serious illness sidetracked his ambition. He then returned to New York to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Edwards' natural acting ability and impressive physique got him noticed quickly by Broadway producers, and soon Hollywood talent scouts signed him for films. His first was the low-budget United Artists comedy Mr. Universe (1951; with Jack Carson and Bert Lahr), with Edwards portraying Tommy Tomkins, an honest wrestler who runs afoul of gangsters. His next starring role came in Monogram's release Hiawatha (1952; with Keith Larsen) as the title character. By the mid 1950s, Edwards swapped his 'pretty boy' image for that of a shady character in such film noir thrillers as The Night Holds Terror (1955; with Jack Kelly), The Killing (1956; with Sterling Hayden and Coleen Gray), and Hit and Run (1957; with Cleo Moore). In 1961, Edwards again shed his image, leaving behind the bad-boy roles in favor of heroes, by taking the title role in ABC's Ben Casey. He also proved himself to be a good singer, releasing several albums and making nightclub appearances.

LEFT: Late 1950s beefcake photo of Vince Edwards. RIGHT: Physique photo from the late 1940s or early 1950s

Vince Edwards married actress Kathy Kersh in June 1965, but the couple split soon after the wedding. Their daughter was born following the divorce, and Kersh later married actor Burt Ward, 'Robin' on the ABC TV series Batman. Edwards married his second wife, actress Linda Foster, in 1967, and the couple had two daughters before parting ways in 1972.

Hiawatha (1952)

Vince Edwards had his second starring role in the Monogram adventure flick Hiawatha. The right photo includes Yvette Dugay

Rogue Cop (1954)

Edwards wrestles detective Robert Taylor in the MGM noir Rogue Cop

The Night Holds Terror (1955)

From Columbia's film noir thriller The Night Holds Terror. LEFT: With John Cassavetes. RIGHT: With Hildy Parks

Hit and Run (1957)

From Hugo Haas' low-budget film noir thriller Hit and Run with Cleo Moore and Hugo Haas. In this film, Haas attempts to win his wife (Cleo Moore) back from her boyfriend (Edwards) while they plot to kill Haas for his money

Island Women (1958)

Marie Windsor has designs on Vince Edwards, who is dating her niece, Marilee Earle, in the low-budget drama Island Women

Murder by Contract (1959)

From the Columbia release Murder by Contract, a late film noir entry. Also pictured are Phillip Pine and Herschel Bernardi

LEFT: From the Columbia war drama The Victors with George Hamilton, James Mitchum, and George Peppard. RIGHT: With Rosanna Schiaffino

Hammerhead (1968)

Scenes from the Columbia thriller Hammerhead

The Desperados (1969)

The Seduction (1982)

From the Morgan Fairchild thriller The Seduction

Space Raiders (1983)

With David Mendenhall in the low-budget sci-fi adventure Space Raiders

later years

In the 1970s, Edwards mostly abandoned films for television, starring in the series Matt Lincoln (1970-1971), making numerous made-for-television films, and even lending his vocal talents in the animated series The Centurions. In addition to acting, Edwards also directed a number of television shows (such as Police Story, Battlestar Galactica, and The Fall Guy) and a few made-for-television films. In the 1980s, he returned to films in such faire as Space Raiders (1983; with Patsy Pease), Return to Horror High (1987; with George Clooney), and Son of Darkness: To Die for II (1991; with Steve Bond). Sadly, Vince Edwards died of pancreatic cancer on March 11, 1996, at the age of 67. He was survived by his fourth wife, Janet, and three daughters from his first two marriages.

FILMMister Universe [DVD](1951) DVDBodybuilding champ Tommy Tomkins (Vince Edwards, in his starring film debut), with help from pal Jeff (Jack Carson), turns his Mr. Universe into a pro wrestling career. But when honest Tommy refuses to (gasp!) throw matches, he'll have to bodyslam some angry mobsters. Bert Lahr, Janis Paige, and such real-life grapplers as Chief Flying Mare and The Hoboken Turk co-star in this offbeat comedy; look for an uncredited Joan Rivers as a teenage fan. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.Hiawatha [DVD](1952) DVDNative American adventure tale inspired by the Longfellow poem casts Vince Edwards as the young Ojibway brave sent on a mission to broker peace with the Dakotah, and who faces peril from those among both tribes who hunger for war. Colorful saga co-stars Yvette Duguay as Minnehaha; with Keith Larsen, Morris Ankrum, Stuart Randall. 79 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Collection, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVDIn "My Friend Irma" (1949), their screen debut, would-be stage stars Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis befriend scatterbrained blonde Marie Wilson. "My Friend Irma Goes West" (1950) finds the trio hopping a train to California and getting mixed up in a zany kidnapping plot. Martin is a football star charged with toughening up meek and mild Lewis in "That's My Boy" (1951). The boys are Navy men wreaking havoc on a submarine, in "Sailor Beware" (1952). It's "Geronimo!" for Dean and Jerry when they play USO entertainers who wind up as recruits for the paratroop squad, in "Jumping Jacks" (1952). There's hi-jinx on the golf links, with Jerry as "The Caddy" (1953) who's trying to help duffer Dean win at Pebble Beach. Donna Reed co-stars and Dino sings "That's Amore." The guys are "Scared Stiff" (1953) in a haunted castle that's the setting for some spooky goings-on, not the least of which is Jerry's impersonation of Carmen Miranda! Four-disc set also includes "The Stooge." 13 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.Cell 2455, Death Row [DVD](1955) DVDThis fascinating look at crime and punishment explores the life story of a rapist who was sentenced to San Quentin's death row and later executed. Through flashbacks, his various crimes and the motives behind them are glimpsed--revealing a harrowing tale of a lost soul in the process. Marian Carr, Kathryn Grant, Vince Edwards star. 77 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.The Night Holds Terror [DVD](1955) DVDBased on actual events, this shocking crime story concerns a group of armed bandits who attempt to evade a police manhunt by holding a family hostage in their suburban home. As the behavior of the gang's leader becomes increasingly erratic, the residents of the house fear for their lives as the situation worsens--resulting in a shocking showdown. John Cassavetes, Vince Edwards, Charles Herbert, Jack Kelly, Hildy Parks star. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.The Killing [Blu-ray](1956)Classic caper drama that established director Stanley Kubrick has Sterling Hayden assembling a motley crew to knock off a racetrack. Kubrick's tight, claustrophobic camera work (done in part to hide the film's shoestring budget) and fine supporting turns by Elisha Cook Jr., Ted de Corsia, Marie Windsor, and Timothy Carey make this a film noir favorite. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English PCM mono; featurette; interviews; theatrical trailers. Also includes the bonus feature "Killer's Kiss" (1955).The Killing (Criterion Collection) [DVD](1956) DVDClassic caper drama that established director Stanley Kubrick has Sterling Hayden assembling a motley crew to knock off a racetrack. Kubrick's tight, claustrophobic camera work (done in part to hide the film's shoestring budget) and fine supporting turns by Elisha Cook Jr., Ted de Corsia, Marie Windsor, and Timothy Carey make this a film noir favorite. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English PCM mono; featurette; interviews; theatrical trailers. Also includes the bonus feature "Killer's Kiss" (1955). Two-disc set.Serenade (Remastered Edition) [DVD](1956) DVDMario Lanza's superb voice highlights this classy soap opera in which he plays an aspiring opera singer who falls for Joan Fontaine, a socialite who intends to promote his career. When she dumps him, Lanza lands in Mexico, falls in love with a matador's daughter (Sarita Montiel), and tries to resurrect his dreams of stardom. Lanza sings a wide range of opera favorites, as well as the title tune and "My Destiny." With Vincent Price. 121 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.Movies 4 You: Western Classics [DVD] DVDOutlaw George Montgomery thought he could hang up his "Gun Belt" (1953), turn to ranching, and try to keep nephew Tab Hunter from making the same mistakes. Unfortunately, his old gang--including the kid's father (John Dehner)--has other ideas. Drifter Montgomery gets a marshal's badge when he stands up to three town-bullying brothers (Neville Brand, Douglas Kennedy, Robert J. Wilke) in "The Lone Gun" (1954). Dorothy Malone co-stars. Stage line agent Joel McCrea takes on a holdup gang by becoming their local jurisdiction's deputy in "Gunsight Ridge" (1957). Mark Stevens, Joan Weldon, Slim Pickens co-star. When gold is found on land earmarked as a Cheyenne reservation, Cavalry officer Rory Calhoun squares off with corrupt topkick Lloyd Bridges, in "Ride Out For Revenge" (1957). Gloria Grahame, Vince Edwards co-star. 5 1/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics I [DVD] DVDA San Francisco detective traces a series of seemingly random killings to a sharp-eyed loner who uses his rifle to exact deadly revenge on the women who have rejected him, in "The Sniper" (1952). Adolphe Menjou, Arthur Franz, Gerald Mohr star. Four college pals plot to rob a casino in Reno just to prove it can be done, in "5 Against the House" (1955), but their plan to return the money is threatened when one of them intends to keep it for himself. Brian Keith, Guy Madison, Alvy Moore, Kim Novak star. When a mother and her young daughter unknowingly destroy a stash of heroin, a pair of hit men must keep them alive long enough to explain it to their boss, in "The Lineup" (1958). With Eli Wallach, Robert Keith. Finally, "Murder by Contract" (1958) is a gritty, atmospheric drama starring Vince Edwards as a professional hit man hired to kill a woman who is about to turn in evidence against the seedy mobster he works for. Caprice Toriel, Phillip Pine, and Herschel Bernardi co-star. Also includes "The Big Heat" (1953). 7 hrs. total. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary; featurette; interview. Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics II [DVD] DVDDirector Fritz Lang's "Human Desire" (1954), based on the Zola novel and Renoir film "La Bete Humaine," stars Glenn Ford as a railroad engineer who has an affair with Gloria Grahame, the wife of co-worker Broderick Crawford, after finding out the couple are responsible for a murder. Detective Fred MacMurray gets mixed up with a suspected bank robber's girlfriend (Kim Novak), leading to deception and double-crosses, in "Pushover" (1954). With Phil Carey, Dorothy Malone, E.G. Marshall. "The Brothers Rico" (1957) finds a former Mafia accountant pulled back into the dangerous world of organized crime when he learns the Mob wants to eliminate his siblings. Richard Conte, James Darren, Paul Picerni star. Falsely accused of robbery and murder, fugitive Aldo Ray seeks help from mysterious beauty Anne Bancroft in "Nightfall" (1957), co-starring Brian Keith. And Los Angeles becomes a "City of Fear" (1959) as authorities try to locate an escaped convict in possession of a deadly radioactive explosive. With Vince Edwards, Patricia Blair, John Archer. 7 hrs. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH); featurettes; theatrical trailers. Too Late Blues [Blu-ray](1961)John Cassavetes' second stint in the director's chair (and his first with a major studio) yielded this stirring drama set in the gritty world of jazz music. Bobby Darin stars as a musician who falls for a sexy aspiring singer (Stella Stevens) with a checkered past and is soon torn between his devotion to his new love and loyalty to his bandmates. Everett Chambers, Nick Dennis, Vince Edwards, and Seymour Cassel also star. 101 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.Too Late Blues [DVD](1961) DVDJohn Cassavetes' second stint in the director's chair (and his first with a major studio) yielded this stirring drama set in the gritty world of jazz music. Bobby Darin stars as a musician who falls for a sexy aspiring singer (Stella Stevens) with a checkered past and is soon torn between his devotion to his new love and loyalty to his bandmates. Everett Chambers, Nick Dennis, Vince Edwards, and Seymour Cassel also star. 101 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English.Hammerhead [DVD](1968) DVDThis swinging '60s spy thriller follows international criminal mastermind Hammerhead (Peter Vaughan) as he plans to steal top-secret NATO defense plans as part of an evil plot to take over the world. Now, it's up to daring American espionage agent Charles Hood (Vince Edwards) to stop the villain before he can carry out his sinister scheme. Judy Geeson, Diana Dors, Michael Bates co-star. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.The Devil's Brigade [DVD](1968) DVDWilliam Holden is a tough, level-headed lieutenant colonel assigned to form a crack unit of fighting men out of a band of misfit American soldiers and a well-trained Canadian unit before they are to face the Nazis on the European battlefield. Action-packed war epic based on fact co-stars Carroll O'Connor, Vince Edwards, Cliff Robertson. 130 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby mono, Spanish mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.Fighting Heroes [DVD] DVDTwo-disc set includes "Beachhead," "Run Silent, Run Deep," "Beach Red," "The Devil's Brigade," and "The Bridge at Remagen."The Mad Bomber [DVD](1973) DVDA madman (Chuck Connors) takes the law into his own hands with the help of some homemade explosives. Vince Edwards is the cop who must catch him before he blows stuff up real good again, but it turns out that the only person who may be able to finger the psychopath has a dark past of his own. Gripping crime drama co-stars Neville Brand, Hank Brandt. 90 min. Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.Firehouse [DVD](1973) DVDRichard Roundtree, Vince Edwards, Andrew Duggan, and Richard Jaeckel star in this gritty look at the dangerous life of the firemen of Engine Co. 23. Roundtree is the new guy in the house, a probational recruit who struggles to prove himself. Pilot to the hit TV series. Soundtrack: English.The Rhinemann Exchange [DVD](1977) DVDBased on the Robert Ludlum novel, this mini-series stars Stephen Collins as a WWII U.S. intelligence officer assigned to oversee the exchange of industrial diamonds for gyroscopes between Allied forces and the Germans. Along the way, he falls for embassy worker Lauren Hutton while narrowly escaping attempts on his life. With Claude Akins, Vince Edwards, Jose Ferrer, and Larry Hagman. 4 hrs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH).The Seduction [DVD](1982) DVDA glamorous TV newswoman is stalked by a psychotic neighbor obsessed with being with her...and killing anyone who comes between them. Intense and erotic suspenser stars Morgan Fairchild, Andrew Stevens, Michael Sarrazin, and Colleen Camp. 103 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary; featurettes; theatrical trailer.Deal Of The Century [DVD](1983) DVDShady surplus arms dealer Eddie Muntz (Chevy Chase) thinks he has a career-making score when the chance comes to peddle a new guided missile system to his Central American patrons. Too bad that the seriously defective weaponry might cause the whole arrangement to--well--blow up in his face. Dark geopolitical farce co-stars Sigourney Weaver, Gregory Hines, Vince Edwards, Wallace Shawn; William Friedkin directs. 99 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.Space Raiders [DVD](1983) DVDProducer Roger Corman blends "Star Wars" and "Treasure Island" for this sci-fi swashbuckler in which adventure-craving 10-year-old Peter (David Mendenhall) slips aboard a ship stolen by interstellar pirates. Led by the roguish Hawk (Vince Edwards), the mercenaries and their young ally face off against bounty hunters, an evil corporation, and other dangers on a thrilling star trek! With Patsy Pease, Ray Stewart. 84 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.Return To Horror High [DVD](1987) DVDFive years ago the halls of Crippin High ran red with blood. Now a film is being made in the abandoned school, but someone with a vicious memory is starting a remedial course in murder. Straight "AAAAHHH" gorefest stars Vince Edwards, Alex Rocco, Lori Lethin and a young George Clooney. 94 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer. The Dungeonmaster (1984)/Cellar Dweller (1988)/Catacombs (1992)/The Crawlers [DVD](1993) DVDFirst, it's "circuits vs. sorcery" when an evil wizard from an alternate universe subjects a young computer genius and his girlfriend to a series of seven challenges--each helmed by a different director--ranging from mobile statues to a dwarf in a psychedelic tank. "The Dungeonmaster" stars Richard Moll, Leslie Wing. AKA: "Ragewar." Next, a cartoonist with a bizarre imagination accidentally repeats the evocations that spawned a grisly murder/suicide in her spooky apartment building 30 years earlier. "Cellar Dweller" stars Yvonne DeCarlo, Vince Edwards. Then, an ancient abbey is the setting for "Catacombs," as a long-feared prophecy comes to pass and an unholy beast is set loose upon the Earth. Timothy Van Patten, Laura Schaefer star. AKA: "Curse IV: The Ultimate Sacrifice." Finally, illegal toxic dumping by a nuclear plant begins spawning gruesome, bloodthirsty monsters that prey on the citizens of a nearby town. A scientist learns the truth, but can "The Crawlers" be stopped? Jason Saucier, Mary Sellers star. AKA: "Creepers." 5 1/3 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English. 4 Movie Collection: Lords Of Dogtown (2005)/Excess Baggage (1997)/Motorama (1993)/Running With Scissors [DVD](2006) DVDThe unusual comedy "Motorama" centers on a 10-year-old boy who leaves home, steals a car, and takes off on a wild road adventure filled with all sorts of wacky characters. The incredible cast includes Garrett Morris, Mary Woronov, Jack Nance, Drew Barrymore, Robert Picardo, Sandy Baron, and the great Dick Miller. Two-disc set also includes "Excess Baggage," the unrated, extended cut of "Lords of Dogtown," and "Running with Scissors." 6 3/4 hrs. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo.

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCESP.S.I. Luv U, episode Diamonds Are a Girl's Worst Friend, originally aired November 2, 1991Murder, She Wrote, episode Three Strikes, You're Out, originally aired May 7, 1989The Highwayman, episode Frightmare, originally aired April 22, 1988Our Family Honor, episode Lone Justice, originally aired December 6, 1985Our Family Honor, episode Mark of Cain, originally aired November 29, 1985Our Family Honor, episode The Casino, originally aired November 22, 1985Tales from the Darkside, episode It All Comes Out in the Wash, originally aired May 26, 1985Cover Up, episode Nothing to Lose, originally aired October 27, 1984Knight Rider, episode Knight of the Phoenix, originally aired September 26, 1982Police Story, episode A Chance to Live, originally aired May 28, 1978Police Story, episode Payment Deferred, originally aired September 21, 1976Medical Story, episode Test Case, originally aired September 25, 1975The Deputy, episode The Choice, originally aired June 25, 1960Laramie, episode The Protectors, originally aired March 22, 1960Adventures in Paradise, episode The Raft, originally aired November 30, 1959The Untouchables, episode Mexican Stake-Out, originally aired November 26, 1959Alfred Hitchcock Presents, episode The Young One, originally aired December 1, 1957General Electric Theater, episode Bitter Choice, originally aired April 21, 1957The 20th Century-Fox Hour, episode The Last Patriarch, originally aired November 28, 1956Celebrity Playhouse, episode Known But to God, originally aired December 6, 1955Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre, episode The Smuggler, originally aired October 25, 1955